Fan module

ABSTRACT

A fan module includes a fan, a temperature sensor, and a shield. The temperature sensor includes a cable. The shield is mounted on the fan. The shield includes a clip. The clip includes two elastic pieces. A restricting slot and a receiving space are located between the two elastic pieces. The cable has an outer diameter which is wider than the restricting slot but narrower than the receiving space. The two elastic pieces can be elastically deformed to expand the restricting slot so that the cable can be placed in the receiving channel via the restricting slot.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fan modules, and particularly to a fan module equipped with a temperature sensor.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of the computer industry, operating frequencies of most components in computer systems become higher and higher, and the heat generated by these components becomes greater as well. If the heat is not dissipated in a timely fashion, the computer system may be seriously damaged. So, a fan is usually used for preventing the temperature in the computer system from becoming too high. Generally, the faster the fan speed is, the better the effect of dissipating the heat. However, greater, fixed fan speeds add noise and use a lot of energy which is wasteful and unnecessary during those times when the heat generated within a computer enclosure is not so great. So, it is necessary to control the fan speed.

A conventional fan speed control system generally comprises a temperature sensor which senses a temperature adjacent the fan. However, securing the temperature sensor is usually not easy.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric and exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan module.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a clip of the fan module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric and assembled view of the fan module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fan module in accordance with an embodiment includes a heat sink 10, a fan 20, a shield 30, and a temperature sensor 40.

The heat sink 10 includes a plurality of fins 11. The heat sink 10 contacts a heat generating apparatus (not shown), and transmits heat generated by the heat generating apparatus to the fins 11. The heat sink 10 includes four securing posts 13 located on four corners of the heat sink 10. Each securing post 13 defines a securing hole 131.

The fan 20 includes a frame 21 in which blades of the fan 20 are shielded The frame 20 is annular and defines an uncovered side 28. Four first ear pieces 22 are located on four corners of a top portion of the frame 21. Four second ear pieces 23 are located on four corners of a bottom portion of the frame 21. The four second ear pieces 23 are aligned with the four first ear pieces 22. Each first ear piece 22 defines a first mounting hole 221. Each second ear piece 23 defines a second mounting hole 231.

The shield 30 is mounted on the uncovered side 28. The shield 30 includes a cross-shaped bracket 31. Four ends of the bracket 31 define four through holes 311. A plurality of concentric circular iron wires is secured on the bracket 31. A plurality of vent holes 35 is located among the plurality of concentric circular iron wires.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a clip 50 is mounted on a central portion of the bracket 31. The clip 50 includes a bottom piece 51 which is secured on the bracket 31. Two side pieces 52 are perpendicularly connected to opposite edges of the bottom piece 51. Two “S”-shaped elastic pieces 53 are connected to free ends of the two side pieces 52. The two elastic pieces 53 are symmetrical about a center line of the bottom piece 51. Each elastic piece 53 includes a first portion 531, a second portion 532, and a connection portion 537. The first portion 531 is connected to the free end of the corresponding side piece 52. The connection portion 537 is connected between the first portion 531 and the second portion 532. A distance between the two first portions 531 is greater than a distance between the two connection portions 537. A distance between the two second portions 532 is greater than the distance between the two connection portions 537. A opening 533 is located between the two second portions 532. A restricting slot 536 is located between the two connection portions 537. The restricting slot 536 have an opening smaller than the opening 532. A receiving space 534 is located between the two first portions 531. The receiving space 534 is wider than the restricting slot 536.

The temperature sensor 40 includes a sensing unit 41 and a cable 42 connected to the sensing unit 41. The diameter of the cable 42 is wider than the restricting slot 536, but narrower than the receiving space 534.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in assembly, the fan 20 is firstly located on the fins 11. The second mounting holes 231 are aligned with the securing holes 131. A plurality of first fasteners 81 is secured in the second mounting holes 231 and the securing holes 131 to mount the fan 20 on the heat sink 10. Then, the shield 30 is moved to the uncovered side 28 of the fan 20. The through holes 311 are aligned with the first mounting holes 221. A plurality of second fasteners 82 is secured in the first mounting holes 221 and the through holes 311 to mount the shield 30 on the fan 20.

In succession, the sensing unit 41 is placed on the shield 30. The cable 42 is located in the opening 533 of the clip 50. Then, the cable 42 is moved to elastically deform the two elastic pieces 53. The restricting slot 536 is expanded. The cable 42 passes through the restricting slot 536 and is placed in the receiving space 534. The two elastic pieces 53 rebound to clamp the cable 42 in the receiving space 534. Therefore, the temperature sensor 40 is mounted on the shield 30.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A fan module, comprising: a fan; a temperature sensor comprising a cable; a shield mounted on the fan, the shield comprising a clip, the clip comprising two elastic pieces, a restricting slot and a receiving space located between the two elastic pieces, an outer diameter of the cable being greater than a width of the restricting slot and smaller than a width of the receiving space; wherein the two elastic pieces is adapted to be elastically deformed to expand the restricting slot to have the cable placed in the receiving space via the restricting slot.
 2. The fan module of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a bottom piece which is secured on the shield, two side pieces are perpendicularly connected to opposite edges of the bottom piece, and the two elastic pieces are connected to free ends of the two side pieces.
 3. The fan module of claim 2, wherein the two elastic pieces are symmetrical about a center line of the bottom piece.
 4. The fan module of claim 1, wherein each of the two elastic pieces is in an “S” shape.
 5. The fan module of claim 4, wherein each of the two elastic pieces comprises a first portion, a second portion and a connection portion, the connection portion is connected between the first portion and the second portion, the restricting slot is located between the two connection portions of the two elastic pieces, and the receiving space is located between the two first portions of the two elastic pieces.
 6. The fan module of claim 5, wherein an opening is located between the two second portions of the two elastic pieces, a width of the opening is greater than that of the restricting slot.
 7. The fan module of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a sensing unit connected to the cable, and the sensing unit is located on the shield.
 8. The fan module of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises four securing posts located on four corners of the heat sink, each securing post defines a securing hole, the fan comprises four mounting holes, and four fastener are mounted in the four securing holes and the four mounting holes to mount the heat sink to the fan.
 9. A fan module, comprising: a fan comprising a frame in which blades of the fan are guarded, the frame comprising an uncovered side; a temperature sensor comprising a cable; a shield mounted on the uncovered side of the fan, the shield comprising a clip, the clip comprising a bottom piece, two elastic pieces connected to the bottom piece and symmetrical about a center line of the bottom piece, each of the two elastic pieces comprising a first portion connected to the bottom piece, a second portion, and a connection portion connected between the first portion and the second portion; an outer diameter of the cable being greater than a distance between the two connection portions of the two elastic pieces; wherein the cable is adapted to cross the two connection portions and push the two connection portions away from each other to be placed between the two first portions of the two elastic pieces.
 10. The fan module of claim 9, wherein the shield comprises a cross shaped bracket, a plurality of concentric circular iron wires is secured on the cross shaped bracket, and a plurality of vent holes is located among the plurality of concentric circular iron wires.
 11. The fan module of claim 10, wherein the bottom piece is secured on a central portion of the cross shaped bracket.
 12. The fan module of claim 9, wherein a receiving space is located between the two first portions of the two elastic pieces, and the outer diameter of the cable is smaller than a width of the receiving space.
 13. The fan module of claim 9, wherein an opening is located between the two second portions of the two elastic pieces, and a width of the opening is greater than the distance between the two connection portions of the two elastic pieces.
 14. The fan module of claim 9, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a sensing unit connected to the cable, and the sensing unit is located on the shield.
 15. The fan module of claim 9, further comprising a heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises four securing posts located on four corners of the heat sink, each securing post defines a securing hole, the fan has four mounting holes, and four fastener are mounted in the four securing holes and the four mounting holes to mount the heat sink to the fan. 